Club Legend hangs up the boots

Ryan Quade is flanked by players from Eastlake Football Club and players and supporters from the Tigers as he’s chaired from the ground after his final appearance. Ryan’s retirement took some of the fanfare from Jeremy Kirkwood’s 100th game. Jeremy is also seen being chaired off.

After 240 First Grade games with the Tigers, including captaining the 2012 NEAFL Eastern Conference premiership team, Ryan Quade retired from playing on the weekend as the Tigers bowed out of this year’s First Grade campaign.

While the boots will be hung up and the bag no longer packed for training, Ryan will not be lost to the Club after being voted on to the Football Management Committee earlier this year. His recent playing experience and obvious close ties to the current playing group will be invaluable insight as the Committee shapes the club’s future direction.

Ryan has had an amazing career. Although he started his junior football with Weston Creek, simply because it was close to home, he was always destined to have a long career in the black and gold.

Ryan’s father Brian coached the Tigers for a decade from 1984 while Ryan was growing up.

Ryan made his First Grade debut for the Tigers in 2003, a year in which he played 21 games and immediately cemented himself in First Grade.

He spent a year with the Sydney Swans Reserves in 2005, winning a premiership in the AFL Canberra competition, but returned to the Tigers in 2006.

Ryan and Brian Quade in the Tigers changeroom that both have spent many years in.

Ryan became Club captain in 2007 and is one of the Club’s longest serving captains after handing over the reigns in 2015.

His list of other achievements includes: ACT, NSW and NEAFL Eastern Conference Representative; Dane Quade Medal for Best Under 21 Player; Michael Haddock Past Players Medal; Tony Wynd Medallist for First Grade Best and Fairest, Member of the Tigers prestigious 100 Club; Captain of the Tigers 100 Club Legends; Wall of Fame member; and Tigers Life Membership.

Ryan’s onfield presence will be sorely missed but the Club is very pleased that he will remain involved and be able to pass on his experience.

Congratulations on a fantastic career.